At Thuja Wellness, I often meet women who tell me,
“I feel tense all the time and I don’t know why.”
Or, “I’ve done the therapy, the yoga, the rest… but my body still feels tight.”
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone, especially here in Vancouver, where many women are balancing demanding careers, caregiving, pregnancy or postpartum recovery, and the constant pressure to “hold it all together.”
What many people don’t realize is that emotional stress doesn’t just live in the mind. It often shows up in the body as pain, or tension or a persistent feeling of being on edge.
This is where a gentle, body-based approach like OsteoEmotive Therapy can make a meaningful difference.
The Mind–Body Connection: More Than a Concept
Our bodies are deeply connected to our emotions and nervous system. When we experience stress, overwhelm or trauma, the body adapts to protect us.
Muscles may tighten. Breathing may become shallow. The nervous system may stay in a heightened “alert” state.
Over time, these patterns can become familiar and even feel normal, even though they’re exhausting.
This is not a sign that something is “wrong” with you. It’s a sign that your body has been working very hard to keep you safe.
How Stress and Trauma Can Be Stored in the Body
Stress doesn’t always release itself once the situation has passed. Instead, it can remain held in the body as:
- Chronic muscle tension (often in the jaw, shoulders, hips, or lower back)
- Digestive discomfort or fatigue
- A sense of being disconnected from your body
- Difficulty fully relaxing, even when resting
Many women I work with in neighbourhoods like Mount Pleasant, Kitsilano, East Vancouver and the North Shore describe feeling “stuck” in these patterns even when life looks calm on the outside.
This is where body-based care becomes essential.
Why Some Healing Needs to Happen Through the Body
Talk therapy can be incredibly valuable, but it isn’t always enough on its own.
The nervous system and body often need felt safety and regulation before deeper emotional patterns can soften. When the body feels supported, it becomes easier for emotional tension to release without forcing, reliving or pushing.
This is the foundation of trauma-informed care.
What Is OsteoEmotive Therapy?
OsteoEmotive Therapy is a gentle, integrative approach that blends osteopathic principles with emotional release and nervous system regulation.
At Thuja Wellness, an osteopathy clinic in Vancouver, BC, I use hands-on osteopathic techniques alongside subtle methods that help calm the nervous system and support emotional processing, keeping at a pace led by your body.
This work is not about “fixing” you or digging for trauma.
It’s about creating the conditions where your body feels safe enough to let go.
Who OsteoEmotive Therapy Can Be Especially Helpful For
OsteoEmotive Therapy is particularly supportive for women who are:
- Living with chronic stress or overwhelm
- Navigating fertility journeys
- Pregnant or postpartum
- Holding emotional tension they can’t quite explain
- Wanting gentle, non-invasive care
Many women begin with osteopathy and later explore OsteoEmotive Therapy when they feel ready for deeper, more integrated healing.
What an OsteoEmotive Therapy Session Feels Like
Each session begins with a conversation about symptoms, how you’re feeling and what your body needs.
A session may include:
- Gentle, hands-on osteopathic treatment
- Techniques that support nervous system regulation
- Moments of stillness or emotional release
- Simple breathing or grounding guidance
There is no pressure to talk about anything you don’t want to and there is no expectation that something dramatic needs to happen.
While some women notice immediate relief, others experience subtle shifts that unfold over time. Both are completely normal.
Frequently Asked Questions About OsteoEmotive Therapy
Is OsteoEmotive Therapy the same as osteopathy?
OsteoEmotive Therapy is rooted in osteopathic principles but goes further by intentionally supporting emotional release and nervous system regulation alongside physical treatment.
Is OsteoEmotive Therapy talk therapy?
No. While conversation may be part of the intake, the therapy is primarily body-based and does not require discussing or reliving past experiences.
Is this therapy safe during pregnancy or postpartum?
Yes. OsteoEmotive Therapy is gentle and can be adapted to support women during pregnancy and postpartum recovery.
Do I need to have trauma to benefit from this therapy?
Not at all. Many women seek OsteoEmotive Therapy simply to feel more grounded, relaxed, and connected to their body.
A Gentle Invitation
If you’re feeling curious, or if something in this resonates, you’re welcome to explore whether OsteoEmotive Therapy feels right for you.
Thuja Wellness is conveniently located in Vancouver, BC, and I’m always happy to answer questions or help you decide on the best next step for your care.
You deserve support that honours your body, your emotions, and your nervous system together.
Book an OsteoEmotive Therapy session at Thuja Wellness, or reach out with any questions to see how gentle, body-led care can support you.
